Behind the bar one recent afternoon, Adrian Wyhut, 23, flipped sizzling hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill to the beat of the Michael Jackson classics playing from the shops jukebox, taking time to smile at Mom,as Ali is known. "At my age, we certainly had no idea we'd see an African American become president of the United States of America. Thanks for the incredible outpouring of love! ", "He was escorted in by our mayor at the time and it was just, it was a dream come true to have him there," she added. Although U Street has seen many changes over the decades, our steadfast commitment . Giant Food Launches World-Famous Ben's Chili Bowl In Stores In segregated mid-century Washington, U Street was known as Black Broadway,the glittering epicenter of black entertainment frequented by the likes of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holliday and catered to by black entrepreneurs who ran banks, clothing stores, florists and other businesses. "Ben's Chili Bowl Owner Virginia Ali Turns 87 Today. Not only did Bens survive, it also has become a landmark revered around the world. On Wednesday, Giant Food announced it is selling Ben's half smokes and chili in stores throughout D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. Virginia Ali (neRollins; born December 17, 1933) is an American business owner known for co-founding Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C. Ali was born on December 17, 1933, and is of African American and Native American descent. The couple thought it was only logical to locate their business on U Street. Thousands of protesters took to Washington, DC, for the city's largest demonstration yet over George Floyd's death, Lower Manhattan's boarded-up storefronts are being transformed into powerful murals dedicated to racial justice, 'Rahul is a f---ing champ': The DC man who gave refuge to more than 70 protesters fleeing police and pepper spray is being heralded as a legend. He knew that we were actually determined to make it work. "Definitely colorful. Virginia Ali, Owner of Ben's Chili Bowl, Embraces 60 Years of Change People coming in in tears. And although the citys black community has diminished, Ali has taken the changes in stride. And then after a while, that sadness turned to frustration and the frustration turned to anger. In recent days, I caught up with 86-year-old Virginia Ali, who opened the Bowl nearly 62 years ago with her husband Ben Ali, who has since died. I want them to be able to have some times at Bens to remember, Wyhut said. Virginia Ali - Wikipedia The timestamp is only as accurate as the clock in the camera, and it may be completely wrong. (Photo by Lenore Adkins). But there were no chili dog places. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. Probably till I cant walk or drive anymore, Hebb said. How Ben's Chili Bowl in DC Has Hosted Protestors for Over 60 Years Soldier. Were still here, the bank is still here, the flower shop is still here and were doing what best to hold onto what little culture we can, Ali said. Virginia Ali reflects on the history of Ben's Chili Bowl and how her food has brought people together. From the 1968 race riots through the urban renewal of the '90s, Ben's Chili Bowl has seen it all. We could be on the dance floor: Honey, did you remember to order?. In a photo from 22 August 2003, Bill Cosby, left, joins Virginia Ali and Ben Ali for a celebration on the 45th anniversary of Ben's Chili Bowl Restaurant. We thought, My gosh, this is ideal. Ben, who immigrated from Trinidad to the United States in 1945, brought with him a palate . Washington, DC 20002, AFRO endorsements for the 2022 midterm elections, A time to dance: Rev. Virginia Ali, the proprietor of this local joint, could feel the man's angst and quickly cleared a table. She describes Ben Ali as a natural businessman. Help us Continue to tell OUR Story and join the AFRO family as a member subscribers are now members! If there happened to be three cars, they'd have to wait until everyone was served. A few weeks ago on an afternoon in September, I had the pleasure of chatting on the phone with the inimitable and elegant Mrs. Ali of the legendary Ben's Chili Bowl.Ever since Mrs. Ali and her late husband Ben opened on U Street in 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has not only fed the neighborhood, but has been a true pillar of the community. The young people will eventually become the old heads. Copyright 2023 by WTOP. We take those checks and turn them into giving back to our community by providing lunches for the medical staff at Howard University Hospital or the Washington Hospital Center and the fire department, some teachers, and even the [Black Lives Matter] demonstrators. Get the inside scoop on todays biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley delivered daily. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Virginia and Ben Ali weren't about to miss the event at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 1963. Opinion | Ben's Chili Bowl and the business of black survival Mahaboob Ben Ali was born in San Juan, British Trinidad and Tobago, on 13 June 1927. Her restaurant, Ben's Chili Bowl, has been a gathering place for people of all kinds, from community organizers to world leaders. Early life [ edit] Ali was born on December 17, 1933, and is of African American and Native American descent. (Photo by Lenore Adkins). 5425 Wisconsin Ave The reverend, who maintained an office a block away, would sit in briefly for lunch and would then be on his way, Ali said. Seated at counter with Virginia Ali, founder Bens. Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.s food and drink scene. Ali, who had studied such poets as Wordsworth, Chaucer and Shakespeare while in Trinidad, originally planned to become a medical doctor. The Bowl is not just a restaurant, but a cultural landmark that has survived riots, reconstruction and gentrification. View maps of Washington, DC, and learn about the geography and attractions of Washington, DC. I can have my beef chili dogs anytime I want, and I love our chocolate shakes, and Im still able to have that. "Ben Ali, 82, Whose Chili Bowl Became a D.C. And we thought what looks more American than a hot dog? Since 1958, Ben's Chili Bowl has served Washington DC's original half-smoke. Its difficult because we had these hours 7 AM to 3 AM and 4 AM on weekends. Ben's Chili Bowl - Clio as well as other partner offers and accept our, Ben's Chili Bowl/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images, Astrid Riecken For The Washington Post via Getty Images ), Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images, The Washington Post/Michael Williamson/Getty Images, Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Ben's Chili Bowl hits Giant Food shelves, Virginia Ali on the But we have so many issues to deal with this time weve got the police brutality thing going on; weve got division in the country; we need education for everybody.. Youre afraid to go out in crowds. Today, weve got young people, coming out on their very own because they feel so strongly about whats going on in this country.. We were the only business that was allowed to be open after the curfew. Everybody was in a great mood, and they were well-dressed. Bens Chili Bowl stayed open even after the heroin and crack epidemics gripped the neighborhood. But it is hopeful to see thousands of young people out there, in Washington and all over the world demonstrating for basic human rights. Everything was booming at that time, Ali said. Martin Luther King Jr., whose I Have a Dream speech at the Lincoln Memorial was a highlight of the event, drawing an estimated 250,000 people from across the country. "In all 164 Giant stores," Ali said. Vida Ali: It was set up to be one of our best years, actually. Ben didnt intend to become a businessman, but his dream of a career in dentistry disappeared when he injured his back falling down an elevator shaft. Virginia Ali, shown here at D.C.'s Black Lives Matter Plaza in October, co-founded the iconic Ben's Chili Bowl with her husband, Ben, the restaurant's namesake, in 1958 along U. At Ben's Chili Bowl, Everyone's Family. I think thats very hopeful. [6] Each of their children were given the middle name Ben in case they took over the restaurant. But an outpouring of donations from locals and fans has allowed Ben's Chili Bowl to keep giving back to the community that it loves so much. It was in this optimistic atmosphere that Ali, originally from rural Virginia, met her husband while working at the Industrial Bank of Washington. All structured data from the file namespace is available under the. The amount of money Ben and Virginia Ali started with when they began renovating the building that would become Ben's Chili Bowl, Gallons of chili sold at the Chili Bowl through- out the years, Locations of Ben's Chili Bowl that exist today, including out- posts at stadiums and airports, Half-smokes sold since the Chili Bowl opened in 1958. (Photo by Lenore Adkins) She stopped eating the hotdogs and opted for oatmeal, salads, fish, fruits and. What was it like at first to hear there would be no help coming? Ben's Chili Bowl Inspires D.C.'s Black Business Owners to Invest in Join Ms. Ali as s. I dont know. For the past 62 years, Ben's Chili Bowl has been an institution in Washington DC serving locals, celebrities, presidents, and tourists from around the world. Jun 24, 2020, 2:00 PM Virginia Ali has owned Ben's Chili Bowl for more than 60 years, feeding protesters from both the March on Washington and the Black Lives Matter movement. Virginia Ali ( ne Rollins; born December 17, 1933) is an American business owner known for co-founding Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C. Joinhere! [7], During the 1968 Washington, D.C., riots after the death of King, Ali kept the Chili Bowl open at the request of Stokely Carmichael. It was a seven-days-a-week thing, Ali said. Even before King spoke, Ali said the huge gathering was moving and inspirational. "We decided on chili dogs because there were a lot of hamburger places already around. Ali is encouraged by the civic mindedness and political activism in the middle of the protests against systemic racism and the COVID-19 pandemic. Turning Back the Clock with Virginia Ali of Ben's Chili Bowl Share This Gallery: Heather Brady, wtop.com WASHINGTON - The story of Ben's Chili Bowl begins partly with its namesake, Mahaboob Ben Ali, a Trinidadian native who immigrated to the. Little did the newlyweds know their little hot dog shop, spawned from a homemade spicy chili sauce recipe, would survive decade after decade of sociopolitical upheaval in D.C.s black community. U Street closed so hundreds of people could pack the street in front of the shop all day, dancing to live go-go music and eating foil-wrapped chili dogs. Cart 0. . While other businesses were forced to close, the commander of the 13th police precinct gave Bens special permission to operate to serve first-responders and government officials. WASHINGTON Bens Chili Bowl has been a place of refuge for Danis Hebb, 59, since he was a teenager. This file contains additional information such as Exif metadata which may have been added by the digital camera, scanner, or software program used to create or digitize it. Jesse Jackson was another one that was there quite often. But 2020 almost brought this iconic business to the brink. Add to cart Tees & More It's finally here! 28 Organizations Funded. Meet Virginia Ali of Ben's Chili Bowl. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Attiah: Were at the beginning stages of this coronavirus, and now we have national unrest over racial issues. Covid-19 is making it worse. Ali and her husband Ben opened Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street then known as "Black Broadway" in 1958. That sadness turned to frustration, the frustration turned into anger, and that rising began. Vida Ali: We went through the process. 1140 3rd St., 2nd Flr, NE On Aug. 22, 1958, the couple opened Bens Chili Bowl at 1213 U Street, the site of a former silent movie theater called the Minnehaha. Why Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C. Is a Dining Destination - AFAR Ali co-founded Ben's Chili Bowl, a landmark restaurant located on U Street in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Virginia Ali, in 1958. We had the unfortunate death of Dr. King on April 4, 1968. [2] He was the firstborn child of seven[3] in a Muslim Indian family. Bens was honored to give over 500 meals to our Heroes at @Howard1867 University Hospital, Washington Hospital Center (@medstarhealth) and others this week! The march organized by the Rev. We heard enough of it to feel ecstatic about the speech. [2], After moving to Washington, Ali worked as a teller at Industrial Bank, a historic Black owned business. 233 E. Redwood Street Suite 600G She was 29 on that historic day in August 1963, when she and Ben fed some of the hundreds of thousands of people who streamed into the city for the March on Washington and heard Martin Luther King Jr. tell the world about his dream. Full coverage of the George Floyd protests. The restaurant is located at 1213 U Street, next to Lincoln Theatre, in the northwest corner of Washington, D.C. Ben's is widely known for its milkshakes, chili dogs, and half-smokes and has truly become a community staple. Ben Ali (businessman) - Wikipedia Virginia Ali of Ben's Chili Bowl, Russ Ramsey among Junior Achievement Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images. Located on U Street in the nation's capital, Ben's Chili Bowl is one of the most legendary restaurants in America. Walk a Mile with Tommy McFLY: Virginia Ali of Ben's Chili Bowl Watch. If the file has been modified from its original state, some details such as the timestamp may not fully reflect those of the original file. Its been ups and down. Because I am almost 87, Ive been asked not to hang out there as much as I normally do. From riots to presidential visits, 78-year-old Virginia Ali shares the long and storied history of her husband\'s iconic D.C. restaurant Ben\'s Chili Bowl. About Ben's Chili Bowl | DC's Historical Black-Owned Restaurant Ben Ali, an immigrant from Trinidad with roots in India,studied at the University of Nebraska and Howard University. Ben and Virginia Ali opened Ben's Chili Bowl on August 22, 1958, selling hot dogs, burgers, sausages, potato chips, and Ben's homemade chili, a mixture of ground beef thin enough to be poured on any item on the menu. Were now a smaller universe. This is a retouched picture, which means that it has been digitally altered from its original version.Modifications: Cropped, adjusted light and color.The original can be viewed here: Pete Buttigieg Virginia Ali Ben's Chili Bowl 01.jpg: .Modifications made by Innisfree987. Are we gonna be all right? Weve got the older folks that are calling and saying, Bens cannot go anyplace. And then the younger folks that have come to school here, just generations of them from out of town and locally, that say Bens was a part of their college experience or Bens was a part of their childhood experience and we need you to stay in place and included is a check for $25 or $500 or whatever.. F. King was assassinated in 1968, prompting the riots on U Street. Earlier this fall, we asked Ali what she was most grateful for amid such a difficult year. "I just don't know how to execute it.". In one day, families from Nebraska, Chinaand Italy approached the co-founder with smiles and picture requests. Bens, Lees Flower Shopand Industrial Bank were the three businesses on U Street to survive. Even if you have to take her key. Ali said, "Well, tell me what it is; maybe I can help." These days, Ali still works at Bens daily but her three sons Kamal, Nizam and Haidar as well as her two daughters-in-law run the business. Virginia Ali: We were a safe space where young people could gather. Since Bens Chili Bowl has been an instrumental touchstone in the community for 62 years, Ali hopes D.C. will include the restaurant as one of its mail ballot drop box locations. Ali co-founded Ben's Chili Bowl, a landmark restaurant located on U Street in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Virginia Ali, in 1958. The story of Virginia Ali, 84, is also the story of Bens Chili Bowl, which she opened with her late husband, Mahaboob Ben Ali, 60 years ago this week. By Emily Heil June 26, 2023 at 4:35 p.m. EDT (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post) Ben's Chili Bowl, the 65-year-old Washington restaurant known for its chili-smothered half-smokes and for. . Virginia Ali deserves every single one. She's the matriarch of Ben's Chili Bowl which is immensely important to the story of DC. "I remember we dashed to the Lincoln. Today, homes have been restored. That evening, Ali remembered a feeling of joy, hope and determination on U Street, as those who had been at the march stopped by Bens Chili Bowl to eat and revel. I have a chocolate milkshake maybe about three times a week. We welcome our regulars as well as those visiting from across the county and . All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Ben's Chili Bowl/BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images Few people have witnessed as much change in the District as Virginia Ali, who, along with her husband Ben, opened up the DC institution Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street in August 1958. Ben Ali, the restaurants namesake, died in 2009 at the age of 82. In 2008, the Ali family introduced Ben's Next Door, located right next door to the original Ben's. We had a cross section of people, she said. You know, its very sad to think that we are having to even do this again, Ali said. When Virginia Ali, 85, and her late husband, Mahaboob "Ben" Ali, first opened the Chili Bowl in the 1200 block of U Street in 1958, their goal was simple - to join a community of. That was very devastating because we were kind of banking on that to try to keep the business open. They found a former silent-movie-theater-turned-pool-hall to renovate. The two were married seven weeks after opening the restaurant. There are some instigators out there that would not like this to go well, and theyre the problem, Ali said. It's very, very, very difficult for us right now," says Virginia Ali, who co-founded the restaurant with her late husband Ben Ali. Photographs courtesy Ben's Chili Bowl. Rap Brown was talking about Burn, Baby, Burn, and the civil rights movement was heating up, Ali said. Perhaps no other business is as iconic to the District and civil rights history in the city as Bens Chili Bowl. In the late 1980s when Metro started constructing the U Street Metro Station in front of the restaurant, Bens remained open with only Virginia Ali and one other employee working. Dr. Frances Toni Draper announces retirement from pastorship at Freedom Temple AME Zion Church, 130 years of excellence: AFRO Gala set to kick anniversary celebration into high gear. File:Virginia Ali Ben's Chili Bowl 2019.jpg - Wikimedia Commons The AFRO provides readers with good news about the Black community not otherwise found. Today, Giant Food stores; tomorrow, the nation: Ben's Chili Bowl - MSN Virginia Ali at the original Ben's Chili Bowl on at 1213 U St. Northwest. So now weve got a thriving community, economically strong, businesses of all kinds and in our city, we have people from every corner of the globe, we have restaurants from all over the world, we have a young generation of people moving in here that are highly educated. Martin Luther King Jr. also was an occasional visitor. "I'm still able to eat anything I want." Written by Jessica Sidman | Published on December 17, 2020 Tweet Share Virginia Ali then and now. October 2020. May 3, 2020 - Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, DC. I did have the beef chili dog every day for about 30 years. He knew that we were going to make it work. Karen Attiah: So, you guys were expecting 2020 to be a good year for you. I would look across the street and see things burning, youd look to the corner and youd hear glass being broken and things like that. The very warm letters of support and encouragementand many with checks. Photograph: Dennis Cook/AP Shaw is in the midst of a revitalization that has attracted high-end condo buildings and White residents to the gentrifying neighborhood. One morning in late October, the 78-year-old sat at a small table pushed up against a wall near the back of Bens Next Door, a restaurant the Alis opened next to Bens, as she began to tell the restaurants story. Ali was 24 when she and her husband Ben, yes the Ben, opened their restaurant on U Street in Washington, DC, when the city was still segregated and the neighborhood was known as "Black Broadway.". Tucked inside a warm steamed bun with mustard and onions, the half-smoke is topped with a generous heap of Ben's spicy homemade chili sauce still a secret family recipe. That night, Black Broadway changed forever. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. And violence was prevalent. 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Many things have changed since 1963s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom but not the chili half-smokes at Bens Chili Bowl on U Street NW, nor the resolve and recollections of owner Virginia Ali. "Sober up with a chili dog," the restaurant's slogan used to read. Oh my gosh, weve received quite a few letters of encouragement. The new businesses began to roll in.". The historic restaurant, he says, is his classroom. Landmark, Dies", "Ben's Chili Bowl Virginia Ali | Q&A | Where are the Black Chefs? View fullsize. Following his recovery, Ali attended four separate universities before earning his bachelor's degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Due to Islamic prohibitions against consuming pork, Ben Ali never consumed some of his restaurant's popular offerings.[2]. All Rights Reserved. It was a new and exciting place.". H. WASHINGTON The story of Bens Chili Bowl begins partly with its namesake, Mahaboob Ben Ali, a Trinidadian native who immigrated to the United States and opened the eatery after graduating from Howard University. Entire neighborhoods were destroyed, causing millions of dollars in damage. Along with notable entertainers, the 1960s brought civil rights activists to the shop. I have to know, how did you come up with opening a chili dog restaurant? Landmark, Dies", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ben_Ali_(businessman)&oldid=1141276645, Trinidad and Tobago emigrants to the United States, Trinidad and Tobago people of Indian descent, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 06:54. Our dream would be to continue to build on that legacy and also expand the Chili Bowl, said Vida Ali, Sage Alis wife, who oversees marketing and PR. Like WTOP on Facebook and follow @WTOP on Twitter to engage in conversation about this article and others. Even former president Barack Obama and Serena Williams have dropped in. Weve been into the community for 62 years, so weve got three or four generations. Virginia Ali has witnessed the course of history both the flames of great change, and the disheartening tolerance of the status quo through a big window at the front of Ben's Chili Bowl. No one asked us to remain open this time. Ben's Chili Bowl | 275 followers on LinkedIn. We just have to stay there day in and day out as a family and serve our guests. Ben Ali died of congestive heart failure in 2009 at age 82, leaving behind three sons dedicated to helping their mother preserve the family business. Ben and Virginia Ali opened the original Ben's Chili Bowl at 1213 U Street in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 22, 1958. Today, I worry about that. Ive got my mask and all kinds of things. Washington, D.C. was segregated then and Shaw was filled with Black doctors, lawyers, accountants, sanitation workers and even winos, Ali recalled. "When someone rushed through the front door at Ben's Chili Bowl and said, 'Dr. "You don't get a warning or anything," Ali said. Were going to do our very best to keep it going. We have people from every corner of the earth in Washington, D.C., Ali said. DC institution Ben's Chili Bowl repaints famous mural - without Bill I certainly felt like this is the national capital, at that time the capitol of the world, Ali said.
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